Michael Roberts's Blog

My father-in-law Tom had a great quirk: he loved red socks and wore them constantly. It became such a trademark that he always got at least one pair for Christmas. In later years that one pair was often from England because apparently red socks are scarce in the states - whereas us Brits love them. Not sure why. Anyway, my 'Mum' made it a habit to send socks over every December and Tom would squeeze the wrapped gift knowingly before ripping it open with glee - every year the same.

When Tom died his family made a point to ask me if I wanted some socks - partly because most of them were from my homeland and partly because the ritual had always amused me. I was more then happy to accept the gift because I am a believer in fate, luck, and loved ones watching over us. Tom died from complications related to cancer and so whenever I give a book talk I make sure to wear red socks. I think my ability to tell a meaningful story to the many cancer survivors in the room is improved by confidence that comes from wearing loud, loving footwear.

I have been a traveler all of my life - with a father who was in the British Parachute Regiment; as part of my job with the YMCA visiting locations around the USA as well as Africa, Europe and the Middle East; and now as an author. It was Oscar Wilde who wrote "Life imitates Art more than Art imitates life." In 2014 I experienced the joy of having a book published, a book that told the story of a cancer survivor regaining his health with the help of exercise, friendship and God. In that same year I lost my father-in-law to Leukemia and my father to Esophageal cancer. My wife Mary and I have flown to London, Chicago, Clearwater and Richmond to come to terms with the deaths of our fathers, to discuss a book that celebrates the reclaiming of life, and to revel in the love and friendship we have for each other. Life and Art seem to me to imitate each other with great regularity and often with great irony. But still, we love them both the same.